Display tray

ABSTRACT

A display tray which employs a mounting or support panel for attachment to one face of a transparent wall is provided with a floor which extends the full width of the support panel and a containment wall which projects upwardly from the floor. The support panel defines an opening above the floor in the area which supports displayed product so that the product is visible through the transparent wall. The containment wall cooperates with the floor to define a tray cavity which extends the full width of the support panel so that the tray cavity occupies maximum horizontal floor space on the tray and the containment wall at least partially obscures the mounting devices which secure the tray to the transparent wall.

This invention relates to apparatus for holding and displaying merchandise products and product containers such as candy bars, bottles, cans and the like. More particularly, it relates to display trays adapted for mounting on one face of a substantially transparent wall to support products on the wall and display the products through the transparent wall.

Retail businesses commonly display chilled products for sale in refrigerated vaults or the like which have a transparent door or wall panel. Because a passing customer is more likely to select and purchase products displayed where they can be readily seen and recognized, the retailer desires to maximize visibility of products on display and also to maximize utilization of display space and space within the refrigerated area. Display shelves typically used for this purpose are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,693 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,433.

Many products are packaged in containers such as bottles, cans and the like. In order to advantageously display such products, they must be arranged so that the product or package is readily visible and easily recognizable. To maximize use of visible space on a transparent panel, the display shelf must permit unobstructed view of the displayed product, selectively position the product units adjacent the transparent panel, and preferably display advertising or the like related to the displayed products. Since display space is usually limited, the display tray should be adapted for easy installation and removal; should be adapted to support and display the maximum amount of product in the space available; and should permit easy removal and replacement of displayed product.

In accordance with the present invention, display trays are provided which are adapted to be mounted on the face of a substantially transparent panel such as a glass window or door. The display trays of the invention find particular utility when mounted in a refrigerated vault or the like to display products through a transparent wall or door of the vault. However, the display trays of the invention may be used in conjunction with any transparent wall, window, door or the like.

The display tray of the invention comprises a mounting or support panel which has a vertically arranged front face and mounting slots, holes or the like for mounting the front face of the support panel adjacent the surface of a substantially transparent wall, window, door or the like. The support panel defines a lower edge, two laterally opposed ends and an upper edge. A floor extends horizontally (normal to the plane of the support panel) from the support panel and a containment wall is positioned at the edge of the floor remote from the support panel which cooperates with the transparent wall to contain products or product containers on the floor and adjacent the transparent wall on which the display tray is mounted. The containment wall extends substantially the full width of the support panel with the end portions thereof extending toward and cooperating with the support panel to form a tray cavity defined by the floor, the containment wall and the transparent wall. The containment wall may be shaped to conform to individual product units and thereby confine them in restricted positions on the floor and/or may also be slotted and/or curved outwardly to permit easy access to and removal of products from the tray.

The support panel may be attached to and extend downwardly from the front edge of the floor to provide rigid support for the floor. An opening in the portion of the support panel extending above the floor permits product supported on the floor to be visible through the transparent wall and retained between the transparent wall and the containment wall. Where the support panel extends below the floor, advertising material or the like may be displayed on the face thereof to be visible through the transparent wall without obstructing the view of the product. By extending the floor and containment wall the full width of the support panel, the maximum space available is utilized and the mounting slots and mounting apparatus are at least partially concealed. Other features and advantages of the invention will become more readily understood from the following detailed description taken in connection with the appended claims and attached drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the display tray of the invention;

FIG. 2 is left-hand side end view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrating placement and attachment of the display tray on a transparent wall;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the display tray of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the display tray of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a modified version of the embodiment of FIG. 3.

The above-described drawing is incorporated into and forms part of the specification to illustrate several exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Throughout the drawing like reference numerals designate corresponding elements. The figures are not to scale but are intended to disclose the inventive concepts by illustration. This drawing, together with the description, serves to explain the principles of the invention and is only for the purpose of illustrating preferred and alternative examples of how the invention can be made and used.

It will be recognized that the principles of the invention may be utilized and embodied in many and various forms. In order to demonstrate these principles, the invention is described herein by reference to specific preferred embodiments. The invention, however, is not limited to the forms illustrated and described. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to use in connection with any particular arrangement of support panels, floors or containment walls but may find utility in various other applications involving support and display of various items.

For purposes of this disclosure, the terms “shelf” and “tray” are used interchangeably to mean any structure having a floor on which products or packages containing products may be placed or suspended from for display. Such apparatus may be formed of any suitable material and may be continuous monolithic structures or formed of individually formed and attached members. Such trays may have walls extending upwardly or downwardly to form cavities in which goods may be supported and displayed. Accordingly, the tray may define one or more cavities above the floor or the floor may support one or more cavities which depend downwardly from the floor. Similarly, the floor and/or walls of the tray may have perforations, slots and/or hooks and the like from which goods may be suspended. Accordingly, the terms “shelf” and “tray” are used generally to describe any structure on, in or from which goods may be placed or suspended for display.

For perspective and consistency in describing the display tray illustrated, the portion of the tray unit which is closest the wall or panel on which it is supported is described as the front and the portion most remote from the supporting wall or panel is described as the back or rear. Similarly, spatial orientation and relative terms such as “upwardly,” “downwardly,” “rearwardly,” “horizontally,” “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower” and the like are used in reference to the position of the tray when the tray is mounted on a supporting wall for use.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 the display shelf comprises a mounting or support panel 10 which has a first face 11 lying in a substantially vertical plane and defining lower edge 12, first and second laterally opposed ends 13, 14 and an upper edge 15. Floor 20 is supported on the support panel 10 and has a top face 21 which lies in a horizontal plane substantially normal to the plane of the first face 11.

A containment wall 30 extends upwardly from the top face 21 of the floor 20. A major portion of wall 30 is spaced horizontally from the plane of first face 11 of the support panel 10. The end portions 16, 17 of the containment wall 30 extend toward and may join the support panel 10 to define a open-topped cavity 31 defined by floor 20, containment wall 30 and the transparent wall 40 (see FIG. 2) on which the display tray is mounted. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the end portions 16, 17 of containment wall 30 join support panel 10 at outer ends 13, 14 thereof and the support panel 10 extends upwardly from the plane of top face 21 of the floor 20 and inwardly from the end portions 16, 17 of the containment wall 30 to define flanges 33, 34. Flanges 33, 34 thus form coplanar extensions of support panel 10 extending inwardly from end portions 16, 17 of containment wall 30.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 the containment wall 30 is a substantially flat member extending upwardly from the floor 20 parallel with and spaced from the support panel 10. The top edge 35 is scalloped or otherwise shaped to define fingers 36 or the like separated by spaces 37 to permit easy access to and removal of products contained in the tray. It will be appreciated that the size and shape of fingers 36 and spaces 37 may be varied as desired for aesthetic design and to accommodate the products displayed in the tray.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 the containment wall 30 is defined by a plurality of joined vertically extending semi-cylindrical sections 38 shaped to define individual containment compartments for individual vertically arranged cylindrical or otherwise vertically extending products or packages. In these embodiments each section 38 defines a semi-cylindrical arc extending upwardly from the floor 20. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, however, the semi-cylindrical sections 38 extend through a longer arc to form vertical dividers 39 which substantially separate the tray cavity 31 into a plurality of individual cylindrical chambers. Each of the arcuate or semi-cylindrical sections 38 is shaped to define a containment compartment for cylindrical objects such as cans, bottles, etc. Obviously, shapes other than arcuate or semi-cylindrical may be employed, depending on the shapes and dimensions of the product units to be displayed. Furthermore, it is to be understood that terms such as “containment wall” and “containment compartment” as used herein are meant to describe structures which restrain movement of an object placed within the boundaries thereof and are not intended to describe fully enclosed compartments. For example, the semi-cylindrical sections 38 of wall 30 do not define enclosed containment compartments but define boundaries for supporting substantially cylindrical objects vertically between the containment wall 30 and transparent wall 40.

The embodiment of FIG. 1 is designed primarily for horizontally elongated products such as candy bars and the like. Thus the containment wall 30 defines no individual containment compartments. However, parallel slots 22 are formed in the floor 20 which may be extended (not illustrated) to join spaces 37 in wall 30 to provide an opening which permits easy access to the interior of the containment cavity. Accordingly, objects contained between the supporting transparent wall 40 and containment wall 30 may be readily withdrawn from the tray by simply inserting fingers through the spaces 37 and raising the object over the top of containment wall 30.

In order to permit maximum utilization of display space available on a supporting transparent wall, the tray cavity 31 defined by the containment wall 30 extends the full width of the support panel 10. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 the end portions 16, 17 of containment wall 30 are joined to the outer ends 13, 14, respectively, of support panel 10. Thus flanges 33, 34 project inwardly from end portions 16, 17. Mounting slots 28 are formed in flanges 33, 34 to accommodate appropriate mounting devices such as suction cups or the like. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the stems of suction cups 29 are secured in mounting slots 28 and the suction cups 29 secured to one face of a substantially transparent wall 40. An opening 25 formed in support panel 10 between flanges 33, 34 and above floor 20 permits products supported on floor 20 of the cavity 31 to be positioned adjacent and visible through transparent wall 40. Thus, when the display tray is mounted on a transparent wall 40, the products supported thereon are displayed through wall 40 are easily recognizable and available to potential customers. Similarly, since the contents of the tray are visible through the wall 40, the need for re-stocking of product will be immediately apparent to the proprietor.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the end portions 16, 17 of containment wall 30 are joined to outer ends 13, 14, respectively, of the support panel 10. Accordingly, the cavity 25 extends the full width of the floor 20. Furthermore, mounting slots 28 in flanges 33, 34 are inside the cavity 35. Accordingly, the stems of the mounting suction cups 29 (and a substantial portion of the suction cup bodies) are positioned inside end portions 16, 17 and substantially concealed.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 the end portions 16, 17 are curved and join the support panel 10 interiorly from outer ends 13, 14 of the support panel. Accordingly, mounted slots 28 may be outside the end portions 16, 17. Nevertheless, since end portions 16, 17 are semi-cylindrical, they extend outwardly the full width of floor 20 and support panel 10 to substantially conceal the mounting slots 28 and the suction cups 29 while providing a tray cavity 31 which extends the full width of floor 20.

As discussed above with reference to FIG. 1, the semi-cylindrical sections 38 of containment wall 30 may be scalloped as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 or otherwise shaped to provide fingers separated by spaces to permit easy removal and insertion of products into the tray.

It should be recognized that the features disclosed in each of the alternative embodiments may be combined as required or desired for particular purposes. For example, slots (such as slots 22 and spaces 37) may be used in display trays having containment compartments such as shown in FIGS. 3-5 and/or various slots, fingers, etc., may be used in connection with various other shapes of containment wall 30.

In each of the embodiments illustrated, the first face 11 of support panel 10 is positioned parallel with the surface of a transparent wall 40 on which the tray is mounted. Thus first face 11 may conveniently be used to support advertising or the like which is visible through the transparent wall 40 immediately below the product supported on the floor 20. Positioning the support panel 10 to extend the full width of floor 20 provides rigid support for the floor 20 and permits display of advertising or other information associated with the displayed product on the support panel 10 without obstructing view of the displayed product. Furthermore, the opening 25 in the support panel 10 may be sized and shaped as desired. For example, the opening 25 may be a large semi-circular opening as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 or may occupy substantially the entire width of the tray cavity as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5.

As described hereinabove, the outer ends of support panel 10 terminate in flanges 33, 34. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the flanges 33 and 34 include slots 28 for mounting the support panel 10 adjacent the inner surface of a transparent wall 40 as shown in FIG. 2. Various means for securing the support panel 10 to the transparent wall, such as suction cups 29 or the like, may be used. As illustrated in FIG. 2, suction cups 29 each have a shank 27 which extends through a mounting slot 28 and thus support the first face 11 of support panel 10 parallel with and adjacent a surface of transparent wall 40. While the use of suction cups is illustrated in FIG. 2, it will be readily appreciated that various other means such as adhesives, clamps, magnets, bolts and the like may be used to attach the display tray of the invention to a transparent wall.

In the embodiments illustrated, mounting slots 28 are formed near the outer edges of flanges 33, 34. If desired (and to permit more secure mounting of the tray) slots 28 may be formed in the lower edge of support panel 10 and arranged so that the entrance of each slot 28 is at the lower edge of support panel 10. Alternatively (or in conjunction with other slots, holes or the like), slots 28 may be arranged to have their entrances at the edge of the flange which is inside the containment wall. It will be appreciated that various other combinations and arrangements of slots, holes and the like may be used to mount the display shelf adjacent a transparent wall.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the principles of the invention may be used to form display trays which support products such as bottles, cans and the like vertically as well as to form display trays which support elongated packages or products such as candy bars and the like horizontally. In each case the product or package is supported on the floor of the tray and visible through the transparent wall on which the tray is mounted.

It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the invention have been set forth in the foregoing description together with details of the structure and function of the invention, this disclosure is to be considered illustrative only. Various changes and modifications may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, arrangement and combination of parts, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A tray for supporting and displaying products on and adjacent one face of a substantially transparent wall comprising: (a) a support panel having a first face lying in a substantially vertical plane and defining a lower edge and first and second laterally opposed ends; (b) a floor supported on said support panel having a top face lying in a substantially horizontal plane and extending substantially the full distance between said first and second laterally opposed ends of said support panel; (c) a containment wall extending upwardly from the top face of said floor with (i) a substantial portion thereof spaced horizontally from and substantially parallel with the plane of said first face of said support panel and (ii) end portions which cooperate with said support panel and said floor to form a tray cavity defined by said floor and said containment wall which extends substantially the full width of said support panel; and (d) an opening in the upper portion of said support panel which permits products retained on said floor between the substantially transparent wall and said containment wall to be visible through the substantially transparent wall.
 2. A tray as defined in claim 1 wherein said support panel extends below said floor and displays advertising material on a portion of the face thereof between said lower edge and said floor.
 3. A tray as defined in claim 1 wherein said containment wall includes a plurality of sections with each section shaped to define a containment compartment for an individual product.
 4. A tray as defined in claim 3 wherein said containment wall comprises a plurality of joined semi-cylindrical sections.
 5. A tray as defined in claim 1 wherein said containment wall includes a plurality of substantially parallel vertically aligned slots.
 6. A tray as defined in claim 5 wherein said floor includes slots joining and defining horizontal extensions of said vertically aligned slots.
 7. A tray as defined in claim 5 wherein said vertically aligned slots extend the full vertical height of said containment wall and divide said containment wall into a plurality of substantially vertically extending fingers.
 8. A tray as defined in claim 1 wherein each end of said containment wall joins said support panel at a position interiorly spaced form said first and second laterally opposed ends and said support panel extends upwardly from the plane of the floor and outwardly from the ends of said containment wall to define support flanges having first faces coplanar with said first face of said support panel.
 9. A tray as defined in claim 8 including at least one mounting slot in each said support flange.
 10. The combination comprising: (a) a substantially transparent wall having first and second oppositely disposed and substantially vertically aligned faces; (b) a tray for supporting and displaying products on and adjacent one face of said substantially transparent wall comprising: (i) a support panel having a first face lying in a substantially vertical plane and defining a lower edge and first and second laterally opposed ends; (ii) a floor supported on said support panel having a top face lying in a substantially horizontal plane and extending substantially the full distance between said first and second laterally opposed ends of said support panel; (iii) a containment wall extending upwardly from the top face of said floor with a substantial portion thereof spaced horizontally from and substantially parallel with the plane of said first face of said support panel and end portions which cooperate with said support panel and said floor to form a tray cavity defined by said floor and said containment wall which extends substantially the full width of said support panel; and (iv) an opening in the upper portion of said support panel which permits products retained on said floor between the substantially transparent wall and said containment wall to be visible through said substantially transparent wall; and (c) means attaching said support panel to said substantially transparent wall.
 11. The combination defined in claim 10 wherein said substantially transparent wall forms at least part of one wall of a refrigerated vault.
 12. The combination defined in claim 10 wherein said substantially transparent wall forms at least part of a door. 